Chapter 29

Under the cover of the moonlight, Alphonse unhurriedly took a file from the spy, whom he had accompanied to the border in order to ensure his safe exit.

Alphonse: "This is the only one you found?"

Spy: "Yes. Some of the other files may have landed in the associates's hands."

Alphonse hummed, "you destroyed all the traces?"

The spy nodded, "as best as I can."

Alphonse fixed the spy with an intense stare, "and all that you have discovered and found.."

The spy continued, "will never leave my mouth. This I swear on my life."

Alphonse grunted before stuffing the file in his jacket, "thank you for your work, as always."

The spy shook his head, "no thank you needed. After all, it is thanks to you and the others that we escaped from that hellish place relatively unscathed. We'll never be able to repay you enough."

Alphonse: "It was our own decision so you don't have to feel any obligations. We do appreciate the help though."

Spy: "We'll just have to agree on disagreeing then.... But Alphonse, that zombie, you-"

Alphonse interrupted," forget about everything you read in this. The past belongs to the past. What matters is the now."

Spy: " But wouldn't it be better for him to know? That zombie deserves to at least know-"

Alphonse: "I said NO! I know him better and I am best equipped to know what he can or cannot withstand."

The spy stared at him for a while before letting out a sigh, "very well then. As you said, you do know him best after all. I have to go before my absence is noticed. Take care Alphonse."

Alphonse replied while watching him walk away," goodbye....and thank you."

The spy waved his hand in response before fading into the night.

****

Meanwhile, in a secret underground place, a few scientists were busying around like ants in a frying pan. They were scrambling around trying to destroy as much evidence as possible while gunshots were heard upstairs.

"Hurry up! Try to erase all the files as much as possible." A random scientist yelled while throwing what was in his hands into the incinerator.

A scientist who was blocking the door with his body was opening his mouth to yell something before a boom was heard and his brain matter splattered on the floor like an abstract piece of art.

Soon more mayhem occured. Yells were heard, more blood was splattered, fighting sounds resounded before silence finally reigned.

Men wearing apocalyptic masks cautiously walked around with their guns ready in their hands. Their muffled breath resounded creepily in the bloodied room. After assuring that there were no more targets, the leader started shouting orders.

Leader: " Quickly pack away all the relevant things in the insulating boxes! And be careful! God only knows what type of substances those vials contain."

"Sir, I identified human bones in the incinerator. A lot of it. Should those be taken too?" One of the minions asked.

If he didn't have that mask on his face, the leader would have spat at those dead scientists, " those damn rats burned all those people together with all the rubbish!? Not even a pinch of respect!? Carefully pack those! When they are finished examining them I will demand that those poor souls have a proper burial. It's the least I can do for them."

The other minions all chimed in and said they will demand the same from the higher ups, "we are all behind you boss! It’s the least we can do for coming too late.”

Hidden behind his mask, the leader could allow himself a small moment of weakness as his eyes watered. He watched his men carefully packing the bones and grimly whispered, “yes, we were much too late.”

****

In the silent room, two people laying side by side were bathed in the unearthly glow emanating from the full moon softly peeking through the doors leading to the balcony. The taller one was gently spooning the small one while intermittently dropping kisses on a snow- white shoulder.

Alphonse laid his chin on Tsuki’s shoulder with a sigh, “still angry?”

Tsuki gave a ‘hmph’ before going back to ignoring him.

Alphonse: “Meeting the spy could have jeopardised your anonymity Tsuki. We cannot afford your existence coming to light this soon. We are still in the red right now.”

Tsuki: “I am no longer mad about that!”

Alphonse: “Oh? What are you mad about then?”

Tuski swiftly turned around and poked the firm chest before him, “you lied to me!”

Alphonse: “What did I lie about?”

Tsuki: “You being a humanXcatXzombie experiment!”

Alphonse: “From what I can remember, I did not lie to you.”

Tsuki: “You called me stupid when I asked you!”

Alphonse propped himself on one elbow and casually leaned his head on his hand, “yes, that was a statement. Not a lie. I never confirmed nor denied anything. And one part in it was wrong.”

Tsuki indignantly sat up and smacked him with a pillow, “ why am I stupid when I was right?!”

Alphonse grunted at the impact, “because of the cat part. And because I didn’t want to talk about it.”

Tsuki continued with his assault, “and couldn’t you have just said that you didn’t want to talk about it?”

Alphonse tugged the pillow from his hand before throwing it across the room, “it would have made you more curious and fuel your imagination with even more scenarios. Then you would pestered me with each of them.”

Tsuki’s opened mouth clicked shut as he had no riposte. He knew that Alphonse was right and that made him pout.

“I am not stupid though.” Tsuki mumbled petulantly.

Alphonse gave a hum, “no you are not.”

Tsuki looked at him incredulously, “what?! Then why -!”

“Because of your reaction. It’s always amusing watching you grumble and pout. Having the chance to coax you is also a plus.” Alphonse interrupted while staring at Tsuki with half-lidded eyes.

Tsuki thanked the creator that he was no longer able to blush before glaring at Alphonse, “ you are a big stinky zombie! And don’t think about changing the subject!”

Alphonse stayed in the same position for a few seconds before laying on his back with his hands crossed behing his head. He closed his eyes before saying, “you have one minute to ask your questions and I reserve the right to not answer some of them.”

Tsuki spluttered, “that’s not fair!”

Alphonse: “55 seconds remaining.”

Tsuki: “so you really were experimented on?”

Alphonse: “Yes.”

Tsuki: “Veyn and the others too?”

Alphonse: “Yes.”

Tsuki frowned, “you still remember your past?”

Alphonse: “The impactful ones. My memory is spotty at best.”

Tsuki: “You are so strong. Why didn’t you run away?”

Alphonse: “Could not and would not.”

Tsuki: “Huh? Why?”

Alphonse: “It isn’t that easy to escape something that have power and strong connections worlwide. And I couldn’t leave something important behind.”

Tsuki pursed his lips before asking, “what impor-”

Alphonse: “Pass. 35 seconds remaining.”

Tsuki hesitated before continuing, “do you still remember your name then?”

Alphonse went as still as a statue before opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling, “name?...you could say that.”

Tsuki: “…what is it?”

Alphonse remained silent for a moment before answering, “ the others read it as NEPTUNE. But I never want to be called that again. I absolutely prefer the name you gave me. 15 seconds left.”

Tsuki looked at Alphonse with eyes brimming with tears. “….they hurt you a lot, didn’t they?” he asked in a whisper.

Alphonse closed his eyes before letting out tonelessly, “immensely.”